A Collision Of Fate

A foot shot out in front of me, and before I could catch myself, I stumbled forward, crashing to the floor. My books scattered across the room, and a wave of humiliation washed over me.

“What’s wrong with you?” Lisa yelled, spinning around to confront the culprit—Alisa, the queen of the cruel.

I groaned, pushing myself up as Lisa bent down to help me. “Elowen, are you okay?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

But before I could answer, Alisa’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Look at her, tripping over herself like the pathetic little Omega she is.” Her words were laced with venom, and her group of sycophants giggled in response.

I bit my lip, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. “Leave me alone,” I muttered, reaching for my books.

“Aw, the little mate is upset,” Alisa sneered, her voice mockingly sweet. “I mean, who would’ve thought? The Triplets’ mate? An Omega? What a joke.” She leaned closer, her eyes glittering with malice. “What did you do to earn that bond, huh? Spread your legs and hope for the best?”

The laughter around her grew louder, and something inside me snapped.

Fury bubbled up, red-hot and consuming. I stood, clutching my books to my chest as I faced her. “Enough!” I shouted, my voice trembling with anger. “You don’t get to talk to me like that! You don’t know anything about me.”

Alisa’s smirk only grew. She stepped forward, towering over me, her presence suffocating. “Oh, I know exactly what you are,” she hissed. “A weak, pathetic Omega who thinks she’s worth something just because of a stupid bond. But you’re not. You’re nothing.”

Lisa stepped forward, trying to defend me. “Stop it, Alisa! You’re just jealous—”

“Stay out of this,” Alisa snapped, silencing Lisa with a glare.

I clenched my fists, trying to hold onto the anger that had sparked inside me. But it was hard—too hard—when their laughter surrounded me like a noose, tightening with every passing second. They were talking about me, about my character, as if I wasn’t even there. My cheeks burned with shame, and I could feel the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.

“She’s not even a real mate. She’s just lucky the Triplets haven’t rejected her yet.”

“I bet they’re just waiting for the right moment to get rid of her.”

Their words cut deep, and no matter how much I tried to block them out, they stuck like thorns in my mind. I hated this. I hated them. I hated the bond. And most of all, I hated the Triplets for making me a target.

“I hate them,” I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “I hate this bond. I hate them.”

The moment the words left my lips, a sharp pain tore through me. My wolf howled in agony, her voice echoing in my mind. “Don’t say that! Please, Elowen. Don’t hate them. Don’t hate our mates. Our bond—”

But I ignored her. I couldn’t feel anything but the crushing weight of the humiliation and anger they had forced on me. I was in this mess because of that damn mate bond. Because of the Triplets.

And as Alisa laughed, her group whispering cruel comments behind their hands, I felt my resolve harden. If the world wanted to hate me, so be it. But I wouldn’t break. Not yet.

Even if it hurt. Even if my wolf cried. Even if the bond burned.

Alisa's voice rang in my ears, her words venomous and laced with cruelty. “Maybe the Triplets just needed someone to warm their bed. That’s all you’re good for, isn’t it? A pathetic little Omega like you. No Alpha could ever actually want you.”

Her words hit me like daggers, cutting deep into my soul. My chest felt tight, and my vision blurred as the tears I had been desperately holding back began to spill. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Without a word, I turned and bolted, my feet moving before my mind could catch up. “Elowen, wait!” Lisa’s voice called after me, filled with concern. But I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t face her, couldn’t face anyone. The weight of Alisa’s hateful words was too much to bear.

I didn’t even know where I was going. My legs carried me forward, my heart pounding in my chest, the world around me a blur. The humiliation, the anger, the pain—it all surged inside me, threatening to drown me.

Why does it have to be me? Why do they all hate me so much?

I felt like I couldn’t breathe, my chest heaving with sobs as I ran. The whispers, the laughter, Alisa’s disgusting words—they wouldn’t stop echoing in my head.

Then it happened.

I crashed into something—or someone—hard enough to knock the breath out of me. The impact sent me stumbling back, my books slipping from my arms and hitting the ground with a dull thud.

“Watch where you’re going,” a deep, sharp voice growled, low and commanding.

I froze, my heart stopping as I looked up.

My eyes met cold, piercing ones—dark as the night, with a glint of danger that sent a shiver down my spine. His presence was overwhelming, the sheer power radiating from him making it hard to breathe. I knew who it was before he even said a word.

Alaric.

The most dangerous of the Triplets. The eldest. The one I had feared the most.

For a moment, neither of us moved. His gaze bore into me, and I felt like he could see right through me, like he could see every ounce of weakness and fear I was trying so desperately to hide.

“What are you doing?” he demanded, his tone clipped and impatient. He towered over me, his imposing figure casting a shadow that made me feel even smaller than I already was.

“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. My tears were still falling, and I hastily wiped them away, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

He frowned, his sharp features hardening. “Sorry? For what? Running into me, or for whatever pathetic excuse you have for looking like this?”

His words stung, and I flinched, biting my lip to keep from crying harder.

“I didn’t mean to…” I started, but the lump in my throat made it hard to speak.

He sighed, clearly annoyed. “Stop wasting my time. If you can’t handle yourself, maybe you shouldn’t be running around like this.”

I wanted to say something, to defend myself, but the words wouldn’t come. His presence was suffocating, and my fear was too strong.

For a brief moment, his gaze flickered, something unreadable passing through his eyes as he took in my tear-streaked face. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by his usual cold demeanor.

“Get out of my way,” he said, stepping around me without another glance.

I stood there, frozen, as he walked away. My heart was still racing, my body trembling.

I hated him. I hated that he had this effect on me, that his mere presence made me feel so… insignificant. But even as I stood there, trying to gather myself, my wolf whimpered softly in my mind.

“Our mate… He didn’t mean it. Don’t hate him. Please…”

But I ignored her. How could she still want him after the way he looked at me? After the way he spoke to me?

My knees buckled, and I sank to the ground, burying my face in my hands as the tears came again.

I hated this bond. I hated them. And I hated myself for being too weak to escape it.